Magic: The Gathering Meets Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Ultimate Guide to the Crossover

When Did the Avatar MTG Set Release?

Understanding the New "Bending" Mechanics

Mechanic Analysis

Unlike some crossovers that simply "reskin" existing cards, Avatar: The Last Airbender introduces four distinct mechanics representing the bending arts. Each one captures the tactical feel of the element it represents.

1. Firebending (Aggression & Burst Mana)

• Mechanic: Firebending X (Whenever this creature attacks, add X Red mana. This mana lasts until end of combat).

• Best For: Mono-Red Burn and Rakdos (Red/Black) Aggro decks.

2. Waterbending (Flexibility & Flow)

• Mechanic: Waterbending allows you to pay costs by tapping untapped creatures or artifacts you control instead of just lands.

• Best For: Azorius (Blue/White) Control and Simic (Blue/Green) Value decks.

3. Earthbending (Resilience & Animate Land)

Earthbending focuses on the physical ground beneath your feet.

• Mechanic: Earthbend typically involves putting +1/+1 counters on target lands you control and turning them into Elemental creatures with Haste.

• Playstyle: This makes your mana base a threat. Even after a board wipe, your lands can stand up and fight.

• Best For: Gruul (Red/Green) Stompy and Naya (Red/Green/White) Landfall decks.

4. Airbending (Evasion & Movement)

Airbending is about avoiding conflict until the perfect moment to strike.

• Mechanic: Airbend allows you to exile non-land permanents and cast them later (often for a reduced cost or with flash).

• Playstyle: This functions like a defensive "blink" effect, saving your creatures from removal spells or re-triggering "Enter the Battlefield" (ETB) effects.

• Best For: Jeskai (Blue/Red/White) Tempo and Blink decks.

Top 5 Commanders from the Avatar Set

See our top picks above for detailed information about all Avatar commanders and their strategies.

Secret Lair x Avatar: The Last Airbender Drops

Wizards of the Coast didn't stop at the main set. The Secret Lair "Superdrop" includes high-value reprints with stunning new art.

• "The Ember Island Players": This hilarious drop features parody artwork of the main cast (based on the "Ember Island Players" episode). It includes staples like Phantasmal Image (as the "Absolutely Accurate Actor") and Thespian's Stage.

• "One with the Elements": A gorgeous, serious drop featuring Force of Vigor and Past in Flames with abstract, elemental art styles.

• "A Lot to Learn": Focused on Aang's journey, featuring a reprint of Serra Ascendant as "Aang, Ascendant Airbender."

Product Guide: What Should You Buy?

With so many products available, it can be confusing. Here are detailed reviews of each recommended product:

Avatar Aang / Aang, Master of Elements

Best For: Flavor-focused Commander players and Superfriends decks

Avatar Aang is the ultimate flavor commander from the set. This double-faced card starts as a small 1/1 creature and transforms into "Aang, Master of Elements" after you've cast spells of all five colors. Once transformed, Aang reduces the cost of spells you cast by 1 for each color among permanents you control, creating a powerful 5-color value engine.

Why It's Special:

Aang perfectly captures the character's journey from a small, uncertain child to the master of all four elements. The transformation mechanic requires you to cast spells of all five colors (representing mastering all elements), making it a natural fit for Superfriends (planeswalker-focused) or "Legendary Matters" strategies.

Deck Building Tips:

• Include planeswalkers of all five colors to trigger the transformation
• Use cards like [[Jodah, the Unifier]] to support legendary creatures
• Include mana fixing to reliably cast spells of all colors
• Focus on value engines that reward playing multiple colors

Power Level: 6-7/10 (casual to mid-power, flavor-focused)

Toph, the First Metalbender

Best For: Artifact and Landfall deck builders

Toph, the First Metalbender is a powerhouse commander that treats non-token artifacts you control as lands. This creates explosive mana generation when combined with artifact token generators and landfall triggers. Toph's Naya (Red/Green/White) color identity supports both aggressive and value-oriented strategies.

Why It's Special:

Toph's ability to turn artifacts into lands is unique and powerful. Cards like [[Tireless Provisioner]] and [[Scute Swarm]] become even more powerful when every artifact you play also triggers landfall. This creates a synergistic engine that can generate massive value.

Deck Building Tips:

• Include artifact token generators (Treasures, Clues, Food)
• Add landfall payoffs like [[Tireless Provisioner]] and [[Avenger of Zendikar]]
• Use artifact ramp that doubles as threats
• Include cards that care about both artifacts and lands

Power Level: 7-8/10 (mid to high-power, very synergistic)

Fire Lord Azula

Best For: Aggressive burn and spell-copying strategies

Fire Lord Azula is true to her character—ruthless and aggressive. Her ability allows you to copy instant and sorcery spells you cast during combat, creating explosive turns where a single Lightning Bolt becomes multiple bolts. This Rakdos (Red/Black) commander excels at finishing games quickly.

Why It's Special:

Azula's combat-focused spell copying creates unique gameplay where you want to cast burn spells during combat to maximize damage. This encourages aggressive playstyles and rewards players who can set up explosive combat steps. The ability to copy spells multiple times can lead to unexpected one-shot kills.

Deck Building Tips:

• Include efficient burn spells (Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning)
• Add combat tricks that trigger Azula's ability
• Use cards that generate mana during combat
• Include protection for Azula to ensure she survives to attack

Power Level: 8/10 (high-power casual, can pubstomp)

Appa, Steadfast Guardian

Best For: Blink and protection strategies

Appa, Steadfast Guardian is everyone's favorite sky bison and a premier "Blink" commander. His Airbending ability allows you to exile your board to protect it from board wipes, then return everything later. This Azorius (White/Blue) commander excels at defensive strategies and value generation.

Why It's Special:

Appa's ability to protect your entire board from removal is incredibly powerful. You can use it proactively to re-trigger enter-the-battlefield effects or reactively to save your creatures from board wipes. This creates a resilient strategy that's hard for opponents to disrupt.

Deck Building Tips:

• Include creatures with powerful ETB effects
• Add blink spells to maximize value
• Use cards like [[Aang, Swift Savior]] for additional synergy
• Include protection and counterspells to keep Appa safe

Power Level: 6-7/10 (casual to mid-power, defensive)

Uncle Iroh, Grand Lotus

Best For: Group Hug and political gameplay

Uncle Iroh, Grand Lotus is a unique "Group Hug" commander that can pivot into a win condition. His Tea Ceremony ability encourages card draw and ramping for all players, but Iroh benefits the most. This Temur (Green/Blue/Red) commander creates interesting political dynamics at the table.

Why It's Special:

Iroh's group hug strategy makes games more interactive and political. Players benefit from Iroh's abilities, but Iroh benefits the most, creating a delicate balance. The Tea Ceremony can generate massive card advantage and mana, allowing Iroh to pivot into a win condition when opponents least expect it.

Deck Building Tips:

• Include group hug effects that benefit you more
• Add win conditions that can close games quickly
• Use cards that reward opponents drawing cards
• Include protection to survive the political game

Power Level: 5-6/10 (casual, political)

Avatar: The Last Airbender Play Booster Box

Best For: Drafting with friends and building a collection

The Avatar: The Last Airbender Play Booster Box contains 24 Play Booster packs, giving you access to all four Bending mechanics and character cards from the set. This product is perfect for players who want to experience the set through Limited (Draft/Sealed) formats while building their collection.

What Makes It Special:

The Play Booster Box provides the full Avatar experience through pack opening. You'll discover all four Bending mechanics, character cards, and the thrill of opening packs with friends. The box is perfect for hosting draft events or sealed tournaments, making it a social product that brings players together.

Value Proposition:

At $150-200, the Play Booster Box offers good value for Limited players. While you won't get guaranteed specific cards, you'll get the excitement of discovery and enough cards to build casual decks. The box is best for players who enjoy Limited formats and want to experience the set through pack opening.

Who Should Buy It:

• Players who love drafting and Limited formats
• Groups of friends who want to draft together
• Collectors who enjoy opening packs
• Players who want to experience all Bending mechanics

Who Should Skip It:

• Players who want specific cards (buy singles instead)
• Budget-conscious players seeking guaranteed value
• Players who only play Commander (Commander cards aren't in boosters)

Is the Avatar MTG Set Worth Buying?

Ready to master the elements? Check out the full singles list below.

External References

• Designing the Four Elements - Wizards.com
• Everything We Know About MTG | Avatar - TCGplayer
• Best New Commanders from Avatar - EDHREC